1 It probably depends to some degree on our patience level with winter, partic- ularly this last winter. For my part, ini- tial romantic excitement over an early snowfall and a white Christmas has given way to exasperation and a pretty extensive winter fatigue. The sunshine is very well, but I am so ready for warm temperatures. No more minus degrees!! After all, the line "at least you don't mind sitting in front of the computer" only works for so long! Still, in between shoveling snow and navigating wheels through snow banks, walking on ice, and stomping through slush, your never-tiring ATINS board has met regularly and arrived at a couple of important deci- sions, promptly followed by action. ATINS is growing and so are its admin- istrative duties. In order to provide our members with a well-run, well- organized, and effective administrative structure, we had to look for a solu- tion other than the volunteer based task distribution which has so far been our modus vivendi. The point has come where a more centralized system is needed. As a result, we have established the position of administrative coordinator, and I am very pleased to welcome Claudia Kingston to our team. A major cornerstone of our new and improved system is a comprehensive member database which was started by Annie St-Jacques and completed by Wietske Gradstein under assis- tance of various board members. A tremendous amount of thought and work went into the creation of that database and everyone involved deserves much praise! Indeed, change is in the air. For some time, there has been a sense that we need to reevaluate our membership categories. The result was a motion, passed at the board level, to abolish the 'associate' membership and work more towards a professional associa- tion of certified translators. This is a reflection of a trend at the national level to make certification standards uniform and, thus, not only ensure portability of title nationally but also to provide the Canadian translator and interpreter with a strong image on the international market. Please note: The abolishment of 'associate status' does not affect present associate members. For you, nothing changes. You will all retain your five year period to become certified! What it does mean is that candidates will have to enter ATINS immediately at the certification level and, consequently, meet the appropri- ate requirements. Spring / Printemps 2001 Vol. 8 – No. 3 Association of Translators and Interpreters of Nova Scotia Association des traducteurs et interprètes de la Nouvelle-Écosse ATINS – P.O. Box 372, Halifax, N.S.  B3J 2P8 info@atins.org    www.atins.org Let ’ stalkabout it! ATINE – C.P. 372, Halifax (N.-É.) B3J 2P8 info@atins.org     www.atins.org Parlons-en! President’s Message Table of Contents President’s Message  . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Career Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Message from the CTIC . . . . . . .3 Appel de communications . 3 FIT - Call for Proposals . . . . . . . 4 Business Tips for the Micro-Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Dealing with Difficult Clients  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 …continued on pg. 2 "April is the cruellest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain" – T. S. Eliot "Proud-pied April, dress'd in all his trim, hath put a spirit of youth in everything" –Shakespeare or